Houston vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Northwestern turns away the overwhelming majority (7.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 11.8% (Northwestern) against 5.7% (Houston).
Average aid for an international student is $74,103 (Northwestern) and $4,456 (Houston).
The tuition gap is $42,663 a year: $27,926 (Houston) against $70,589.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 73.92% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $70,589 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 73.92% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1240).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $62K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | - |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 49,474 |
| International students | 5.7% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 98% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Houston or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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